Math Therapy

Vanessa Vakharia, aka The Math Guru

Math Therapy explores the root causes of math trauma, and the empowering ways we can heal from it.  Each week host Vanessa Vakharia, aka The Math Guru, dives into what we get right and wrong about math education, and chats with some of today’s most inspiring and visionary minds working to make math more accessible, diverse, and fun for students of all ages. Whether you think you’re a "math person" or not, you’re about to find out that math people don’t actually exist – but the scars that math class left on many of us, definitely do. And don’t worry, no calculators or actual math were involved in the making of this podcast ;)

  1. 9月25日

    How to find the "why" in math class w/ Mike Flynn

    Send us a text! (US messaging rates apply) When Mike Flynn started teaching, math was just one of many subjects he had to guide his students through.  The problem was, the way he was taught math made him hate it!   But when a new career opportunity gave him the chance at a much deeper understanding of the concepts and a reason "why" they mattered in the real world, Mike realized that he wasn't confined to just teaching the way he was taught - he could give students and teachers the chance to value math right from the jump. On today's episode he joins Vanessa to discuss: Why making mistakes is essential to deep mathematical understandingHow shifting from “right answer” thinking to a focus on reasoning and flexible thinking can transform the way we approach math problemsStrategies for helping students (and adults!) overcome math anxiety and see themselves as capable, creative problem solversLinks discussed: Open Middle - for encouraging flexible thinkingVanessa's interview with co-founder Robert KaplinskyBooks mentioned:Beyond Answers: Exploring Mathematical Practices with Young Children by Mike Flynn5 Practices for Orchestrating Productive Mathematics Discussions by Peg Smith and Mary Kay SteinNix the Tricks: A guide to avoiding shortcuts that cut out math concept development by Tina CardoneAbout Mike Flynn: (Website, Twitter, Instagram) Mike Flynn is an internationally recognized math educator, Director of Math Programs at Mount Holyoke College, and founder of Flynn Education. He has led professional development for teachers around the world, authored Beyond Answers: Exploring Mathematical Practices with Young Children, and served on the NCTM Board. His work focuses on helping teachers move beyond rigid instruction to curiosity-driven, identity-building math learning. Connect with Math Therapy: Text the podcastDM Vanessa on InstagramEmail VanessaShop the Math Therapy collection: paperback/ebookaudiobook (US, Can, UK, Aus, Germany, or global)merch store

    49 分鐘
  2. 9月11日

    Why 1 + 1 isn't always 2 w/ Eugenia Cheng

    Send us a text! (US messaging rates apply) Have you ever felt like it's impossible to win an argument with someone, or even simply see eye to eye on anything?  On today's episode, mathematician Eugenia Cheng joins Vanessa to challenge the black-and-white thinking that often defines our world - especially in math class. 3 Key Topics Discussed: Why seemingly silly questions like "is math real?" or "when does 1 + 1 not equal 2?" are both valid and valuableHow Eugenia works to help people overcome math trauma the way she overcame ... sports trauma!How emphasizing context, creativity, and nuance - not just right or wrong answers - can help students develop more flexible and creative thinkingShow notes: Eugenia on The Late Show with Stephen ColbertEugenia discussing viral "Is Math Real" TikTok on CBC RadioAbout Eugenia Cheng: (Website, Twitter) Dr Eugenia Cheng is a mathematician, educator, author, public speaker, columnist, concert pianist, composer and artist. Alongside her research and undergraduate teaching, her aim is to rid the world of “math phobia”.  Her first popular math book, How to Bake Pi, was published by Profile (UK)/Basic Books (US) in 2015 to widespread acclaim including from the New York Times, National Geographic, Scientific American, and she was interviewed around the world including on the BBC, NPR and The Late Show with Stephen Colbert. Connect with Math Therapy: Text the podcastDM Vanessa on InstagramEmail VanessaShop the Math Therapy collection: paperback/ebookaudiobook (US, Can, UK, Aus, Germany, or global)merch store

    50 分鐘
  3. 6月19日

    How to trust your intuition w/ Rebecca MacLeod

    Send us a text! (US messaging rates apply) First of all, big news: as of this fall, Math Therapy will be a weekly podcast!  This has long been a goal, so after 6 glorious 10-episode seasons and a bunch of bonus eps along the way, we'll be hitting your feed every single Thursday starting September. For now, we are back this month with 2 special interviews we recorded earlier in the year with some friends we made in Bali, Indonesia. (Next week's episode will legit blow your mind!!)  Today, Vanessa explores the power of intuition and its role in math education with Rebecca McLeod, an artist/designer, yogi/meditator, and all around chill vibe.  Rebecca shares how discovering sacred geometry as an adult led her to reconnect with math and examine the idea of a deep and inner sense of knowing.  They discuss how this kind of intuitive thinking can help students engage with math on a more personal (and, dare we say, spiritual!) level, and how that can help them build real confidence in their learning. They also share practical tips for both teachers and students to tap into their intuition, and highlight the importance of creating a loving and curiosity-driven math classroom. If you've ever struggled with math anxiety or felt disconnected from math, this episode offers a fresh, grounded, and empowering outlook. Show notes: The Ancient Secret of the Flower of Life, Vol 1 by Drunvalo MelchizedekThe Flower of Life (google image search)Wikipedia article on Sacred GeometryConnect with Rebecca on Instagram @rebxxartConnect with Vanessa: @themathguru (Insta, Twitter, TikTok)

    37 分鐘

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簡介

Math Therapy explores the root causes of math trauma, and the empowering ways we can heal from it.  Each week host Vanessa Vakharia, aka The Math Guru, dives into what we get right and wrong about math education, and chats with some of today’s most inspiring and visionary minds working to make math more accessible, diverse, and fun for students of all ages. Whether you think you’re a "math person" or not, you’re about to find out that math people don’t actually exist – but the scars that math class left on many of us, definitely do. And don’t worry, no calculators or actual math were involved in the making of this podcast ;)

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